Tops and flops as Giroud header secures 1-1 draw for Milan against Nice

By Isak Möller -

Milan secured a 1-1 draw against Nice earlier this evening in what was their third pre-season friendly. The overall performance was decent from the Rossoneri but there are still some things to work on. 

Nice took the lead in the second half but that was quickly cancelled out by Olivier Giroud, who scored a header just minutes after coming on (see the goals here). It was a fantastic debut for the Frenchman, in other words.

Stefano Pioli made a total of ten substitutions throughout the game but we still saw enough to name some tops and flops. Now, let’s remember that this is the pre-season and the picks should be taken with a pinch of salt.

Tops

Alessio Romagnoli: The captain was commanding at the back, as usual, and had a decent performance overall. On one occasion, though, he was extraordinary as he stopped a certain goal with a lovely tackle. He also got 70 minutes on the pitch.

Rade Krunic: He was the only one who played the entire game and that says a lot. At times, he was the only midfielder that could control the ball and although he wasn’t spectacular, his performance was very consistent. He also helped the coach out by playing in multiple positions.

Olivier Giroud: He doesn’t need much of an explanation as it was truly a perfect debut for him. Sure, he didn’t get the winner but he bagged a very important goal and just minutes after coming on as well. That’s exactly why Milan signed him.

Flops

Theo Hernandez: He looked very sloppy this evening and often failed with his dribbles in the attacking phase. He took some strange decisions when in possession and didn’t look like his usual self out on the pitch.

Alexis Saelemaekers: He had a few misplaced passed and looked a bit scary when he got the ball, eager to offload it to one of his teammates. Usually, he takes on his man and tries to open space, but we didn’t see much of that.

Rafael Leao: The Portuguese youngster drifted wide a lot, as you would expect, but it hurt Milan at times. Without a man in the box, the Rossoneri were too predictable and Leao himself didn’t have much success when dribbling on the left.

READ MORE: Giroud rescues Milan from Nice disappointment with debut strike – the goals

Tags AC Milan Olivier Giroud Rafael Leao Theo Hernandez

17 Comments

    1. Almost the entire substitute team played better but thats likely because Nice had a weak second team, seen in the last 20 min.

  1. That coach should change system. Same stupid things he did las year to. Change system idiot
    Pobgea and Tonali are perfect player. He should put them when they below.
    Milan made mistake with locatelli with others and others. Milan is team that has Italian Base.
    Try hard with those kids teach them. Push them
    Believe on them. Show your strategy
    Gasps rini is building Atalanta with wit 2 milion $$ guys.
    What is wrong with you

    1. Hey Trojan, This site is for true milanisti, and Milanisti will not mocking to their player even he wasn’t in good form,,

  2. Trojan: pick a different language.English is clearly too difficult for you. Bad spelling,poor grammar,in addition to dumb remarks about the game.

    1. We are here to express our oppinions as fans… We are not in a grammar contest. Most of us don’t even have english as mother tongue and if you complain about trojan miss-spelling you sir have to walk away and start teaching english in Cambridge University.
      I didn’t agree with trojan but atleast i understood what he was writing

  3. Disappointing. Lord Krunic, lord Tonali, lord Leao, we have too many lords smh

    Pobega had a weak performance too, DM is clearly not his position as he was lost and confused. He needs to go out on loan and play regularly.

    Theo’s attitude was terrible and annoying. He has no respect for weaker opponent, expects them to just roll over for him, yet failed miserably in everything he did.

    We need attacking reinforcements ASAP.

  4. In my opinion Leao can only play on LW, and playing him as striker does not help him. Don’t know why Pioli insist him to play on this position. No mater what players he has available he uses the same formation atleast in friendly matches he can try to put players in their natural positions and change formation for 20-30 min.

  5. You can’t lift the cup playing that way. They were very poor and to be honest we need a quality attacking midfielder and we need a good set piece takker, someone who can take good free kicks and corner kicks. Tonali was very bad

  6. Top flop: The ref. Some absolutely bizarre calls especially the penalty.
    The biggest problem I see for Theo is that he’s very dependent on generous foul calls. And as the EURO’s standard of refereeing seems to stick around he’s going to be in big trouble next season.

    Also one thing about the game to keep in mind: The French team has their first competitive game this week while Milan has their first competitive game in three weeks.

  7. You’re right my dear, I agreed with you 100%. He has to change the formation , putting every player at their natural position,sell Krunic because he’s a flat player and cannot create any chances too.Theo need to change his attitude and get serious while playing. I feel sorry for Hauge, that boy is humble and fantastic player but I don’t know the reason why Coach Pioli doesn’t give him a chance to show his talent. That boy is having so many issues in his mind ever since he moved to Milan. I stand to be corrected, every milanista likes him so much but Coach Pioli doesn’t want to see his face why? Guys come to think of this, Samu was so fantastic in that position so I suggest we should let him stay one more time. His touch was perfect and also took fantastic free-kick as well.

  8. At no point we looked like the champions league team lol… all I saw was every player falling to the ground with gentle touch..krunic playing till the end was funny

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